AUSTRALIA may rule the world at cricket and rugby but when it comes to futsal they have been made to take a back seat by East Lancashire's best!

Towneley High School played host to the Australian Under 16 girls and Under 13 boys touring teams - opposition which had been selected after extensive trials.

The Towneley Select boys won 5-3, while the Burnley Borough Girls enjoyed a 6-4 triumph.

The kids from Down Under were on a trip to Europe which had included games against clubs and the national team in Italy, before they arrived in England.

Towneley is the only school in Britain to play futsal - and to run a league - after getting the details from the Internet.

To ensure a competitive challenge, Towneley put a boys team out which was 12-18 months older than the Australian national squad, while the girls team, run by local FA coach and ex-Towneley student John Lister, contained current Towneley girls, plus a few who had left last year.

The boys team and the whole event was organised by Towneley teacher and Nelson footballer Alan Riley.

The Mayor of Burnley, Coun Eddie Fisk presented medals and the Australian group also visited Towneley Hall.

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